By Brian Robinson. Social Phobia Flow Chart.
Author: Brian
For the past eight years or so I've worked for a national charity helping people suffering from anxiety disorders. I have been trained by the charity and to deepen my understanding I've taken a diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. I am absolutely fascinated with the brain in general, and in particular with the part that brings these disorders into play.
I am also interested in literature and the arts. I took an A level in English Literature and studied towards, but never completed, a Bachelor of Arts degree with the Open University.
Now I like to amuse myself by writing flash fiction stories.
Gin with a Twist
By Brian Robinson. Gin with a Twist I could see the pain etched into her face, the sadness, the sense of betrayal. She had begged me to leave this alone. It’s too dangerous she’d said, but I wasn’t going to be told. Anita was my best friend. And I was determined. I could understand why … Continue reading Gin with a Twist
Anxiety: Blushing Part 4: The Problem of Self
By Brian Robinson. If you've read parts 1, 2 and 3 you're probably wondering when we're going to get to the heart of the matter. You may also be wondering why Exposure Therapy doesn't seem to work with social phobia. For example, a man with a supermarket phobia simply has to visit the supermarket repeatedly, … Continue reading Anxiety: Blushing Part 4: The Problem of Self
Anxiety: The Coronavirus
By Brian Robinson. A new test for us all. People suffering with health anxiety will be finding life difficult enough without the added complication of the Coronavirus. On the other hand, I recently heard a doctor say that we should all be acting like someone with Contamination OCD. So, should we all be feeling anxious; … Continue reading Anxiety: The Coronavirus
Twenty Seven
A flash fiction story by Brian Robinson. Spacetime I noticed that the clock on my bathroom wall had stopped precisely at one minute to three. The second hand had managed the downward descent fine, but when it reached the number nine on the upward ascent, it began to falter in a pulsating time loop. I … Continue reading Twenty Seven
Anxiety: Blushing Part 3: The Practical Pathway
By Brian Robinson. My it's hot in here. If you've read part 2, you will have met with the idea that it makes sense to at least take a brief look at what practical steps may be taken to tackle the problem of blushing. Even if that turns out to be a dead end, it … Continue reading Anxiety: Blushing Part 3: The Practical Pathway
Anxiety: Blushing Part 2: The Therapist’s Problem.
By Brian Robinson. Our face always has a lot to say. But it doesn't always speak for us. If you've read Blushing Part 1, you will have met with the idea that blushing is a strategy designed to help keep us safe. Basically, it is one of a number of non-threatening signals we can send … Continue reading Anxiety: Blushing Part 2: The Therapist’s Problem.
Anxiety: The Problem With Blushing. Part 1
By Brian Robinson. Why do we blush? There are several reasons why we blush. For example, we may get caught in a lie; it might be a sign of guilt or embarrassment; or indeed we sometimes blush when we are attracted to someone. But here, we are only concerned with blushing in social situations; where … Continue reading Anxiety: The Problem With Blushing. Part 1
Stonehenge: A Guided Tour
A flash fiction story by Brian Robinson. Stonehenge Wiltshire There are things you have to do in life but never quite get around to. That's how it was with Stonehenge. I'm not a religious person, and I'm certainly not into mysticism, but none the less, Stonehenge has always held a deep fascination for me. My … Continue reading Stonehenge: A Guided Tour
Escape From Bath
A flash fiction story by Brian Robinson. Crescent shaped buildings at Bath As I boarded the train from Bath to Paddington, serious doubts began to creep in. I was a country boy, born on a farm in Somerset. And I knew that moving to London would be like moving to another planet. Nonetheless, I had … Continue reading Escape From Bath
